Companies in Canada and around the world are dealing with unprecedented economic conditions and boosting entrepreneurial talent is critical for our country's future success.

To learn how to take their companies to the next level, successful CEOs and business leaders - entrepreneurs from across Canada will be taking intensive courses next week at the Richard Ivey School of Business in London, Ontario.

Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc. is pleased to announce today that Michael Soligo, President/CEO has been selected as a participant in Quantum Shift, a unique leadership development program founded by Ivey and KPMG Enterprise and sponsored by TD Commercial Banking and the Globe & Mail.

Small and medium sized businesses represent more than 97% of independent businesses in Canada and account for nearly half of the country's GDP.

Helping these firms grow and improve their productivity is essential to building a more competitive Canada.  The Richard Ivey School of Business, KPMG Enterprise, TD Commercial Banking and the Globe and Mail realize this and for the sixth year they're inviting a select group of entrepreneurs to participate in Quantum Shift, a rigorous week-long program to give them the tools to push their businesses forward despite the economic headwinds.

Employing over 6 million Canadians, private businesses are a significant source of wealth and economic growth in Canada. One of their main challenges is growing from small, start-up firms into medium sized firms.

Quantum Shift is designed to help Canadian business owners accelerate their companies.  It's for entrepreneurs who are past the start-up stage and who are ready to innovate.  The program focuses on how to lead an enterprise through exponential growth; how to attract and retain the best employees; how to uncover obstacles that may be limiting growth; how to value a venture and use strategies for moving from business plan to financial proposition; and how to build a strong network of entrepreneurial peers to share best-practices.

Over 180 successful entrepreneurs have attended Quantum Shift to date, including Cameron Heaps, co-founder of Steam Whistle Brewery. Heaps is passionate about growing the craft brewing industry in Canada and says Quantum Shift provided him with a unique opportunity to rethink his company's operating structure.

"When you're a young company in a high growth phase, often the structures aren't keeping up. This was an opportunity to step back and start identifying where the cracks are and how to set up your business to sustain growth," said Heaps.